Home | Services | Public Assistance | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | SNAP Work Requirements
Florida continues to reinforce the importance of meaningful employment through a number of opportunities to support Floridians in need. As such most individuals are required to meet work requirements to continue receiving SNAP benefits.
In alignment with existing Florida operations, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reinforced Florida’s existing operations that individuals aged 18-59 must participate in the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Program (80 hours/month) and will be referred by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to FloridaCommerce and their local CareerSource Center, operated by the Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB), as mandatory work participants.
The following SNAP recipients are no longer exempt from the work requirements:
- Homeless Individuals
- Veterans
- Former Foster Youth (aged 24 or younger)
- Those with a Dependent Child (aged 14 and up)
What are the SNAP Work Requirements?
Individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 who do not have a good reason for not participating must work or participate in the SNAP E&T program, if assigned, to receive SNAP benefits.
What are examples of good reasons for not participating SNAP Work Requirements?
Below are examples of good reasons for why someone cannot participate in SNAP work requirements:
- Younger than 16 or age 65 or older
- A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of household, or who is attending school, or who is enrolled in an employment training program at least half-time.
- Receiving Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).
- Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment.
- Receiving or applied for Reemployment insurance and complying with work requirements.
- A participant in a drug or alcohol treatment program. This does not include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or Sober Living Houses.
- A student enrolled at least half-time in school, a training program, or institution of higher education.
- Complying with the work requirements of the Refugee Services Employment Provider or the Match Grant Program.
- A parent or household member responsible for caring for a dependent child under 6 years old.
- The caretaker of an incapacitated individual.
- An individual already working an average of 30 hours per week or earning at least $217.50 per week. This includes individuals who are self-employed and migrant workers with an agreement to start working within 30 days.
- Complying with the work requirements of the Temporary Cash Assistance Program.
If you think you cannot meet SNAP work requirements it is important to provide that information to DCF to make a determination.
How will I be notified if I have to meet work requirements for SNAP?
You will receive a notice from DCF that will identify which household members must participate in work activities.
If you are required to participate in SNAP E&T, FloridaCommerce will mail an Employment and Training Referral Letter that outlines next steps for completing orientation and scheduling an appointment with a case manager.
Information from FloridaCommerce will be sent by regular mail, even if you opted to receive notices electronically from DCF.
Once you have completed orientation, you will be able to opt in to receive future notices from the CareerSource center electronically.
It is important that DCF and FloridaCommerce have a valid mailing address on file for your household. You can verify and update your address through your MyACCESS Account.
Who is considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents?
The term ABAWD applies to individuals who are:
- Aged 18 to 64,
- Physically and mentally able to work, and
- Not the parent or a household member responsible for the care of a dependent child under 14 years old.
What work requirements must SNAP recipients follow to continue receiving SNAP benefits?
You must participate in SNAP E&T (if assigned), already be working or volunteering, accept a job if offered, and not quit a job without a good reason.
What if I don’t meet the SNAP Work Requirements?
If you do not meet the SNAP work requirements you may lose your SNAP benefits for a period of time.
Can I regain eligibility after losing SNAP benefits for not meeting the work requirements?
You may be able to regain eligibility after a period of time. Please reference your Food Assistance Work Rules notice for additional information.
Can I opt out of SNAP Work Requirements?
No. You cannot opt out if you want to continue receiving your SNAP benefits. If you believe you have a good reason for not participating and would like to discuss your situation with DCF, please call the Customer Contact Center at (850) 300-4323.
What is the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Program?
The SNAP E&T Program is available to assist individuals in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain employment. Through the SNAP E&T Program, participants have access to program components such as supervised job search, job search training, education, vocational training, and job retention services to help them enter or move up in the workforce. SNAP E&T also helps to reduce barriers to work by providing support services such as transportation, educational materials, and training tools to achieve self-sufficiency.
To learn more about the different programs available through the SNAP E&T Program, visit FloridaCommerce’s website: employflorida.com.
Who is required to participate in the SNAP E&T Program?
Please review your Food Assistance Work Rules notice to determine if you must participate in the SNAP E&T program.
Local Resources and Contacts
To learn more about the different programs available through the SNAP Employment and Training Program, visit FloridaCommerce’s website: employflorida.com.
The information presented on this page is intended to provide general program information on the SNAP Work Requirements. It is not intended for use to determine eligibility or define program requirements for any individual or household.